Yes, sustainably built smart homes can be beautiful, as this four-bedroom showhome for Design Builders Canterbury illustrates. Both its bold exterior and serene interior were built with meticulous attention paid to ensuring natural light, privacy and spatial harmony throughout. The heart of this showhome is its entertainer’s kitchen (complete with scullery), a luxurious combination of wood, marble and elegant up-lighting. The bathrooms are just as opulent, with three rainheads in one ensuite shower, floor-to-ceiling tiling and deep baths for soaking in.

A fireplace feature wall is a stunning focal point in one of the two living rooms, as is a stylish floating staircase to the second floor. Sustainability was front of mind when the home was built – it’s set back from the street to protect 100-year-old trees; the mains power cable was dug by hand beneath existing tree -root systems to ensure they weren’t damaged. No plastic has been used on any window or door frames and all construction materials were recycled where possible. Among its numerous smart features is a PDL Wiser system (including lighting and voice activation), an e-lock on the front door and an outdoor louvre that automatically retracts in the rain. All of which make this ingenious home very easy to live in.